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MLB Trade Rumors: Robinson Cano to the Rangers?

After the Rangers finally traded second baseman Ian Kinsler to the Tigers on Wednesday, everyone figures this deal opens the door for Jurickson Profar to play second base. Or does it?

By Ray Guilfoyle
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

By now, you heard about the blockbuster deal that send Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler to the Tigers for first baseman Prince Fielder and $30 million. This deal fills a need for both teams, as the Tigers needed a second baseman to replace free agent Omar Infante and the Rangers needed a first baseman since Mitch Moreland was never their long term answer at first. Now they have their long term answer.

But, are they finished wheeling and dealing? ESPN's David Schoenfield thinks not. He suggests, as many have, that the Rangers could be the Yankees biggest competitor for free agent second baseman Robinson Cano. Signing Cano would mean there is no place for Profar at second base. He could play the outfield, but you don't put a great infielder in the outfield, plus he has little power.

Schoenfield suggests they deal Profar to the Cardinals for Oscar Taveras. This trade also makes sense for both teams, as the Cardinals are desperate for a shortstop, and Profar would be a perfect fit for them. The Rangers lost Nelson Cruz to free agency, so a trade for Taveras would provide them with a young bat to replace Cruz in right field.

This massive overhaul, should all of these transactions occur would result in a pretty damn good lineup in Texas, per Schoenfield:

For the Rangers, that would give them this potential lineup:

SS Elvis Andrus

RF Alex Rios

2B Robinson Cano

3B Adrian Beltre

1B Prince Fielder

LF Oscar Taveras

DH Mitch Moreland

C Geovany Soto/other

CF Leonys Martin/Craig Gentry

It's still possible the Rangers keep Profar at second base, and attempt to sign both Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann, or at least one of them.

All this makes for a nice prelude to the Winter Meetings in a few weeks.

Should the Rangers sign Cano and trade Profar? Vote in the poll below and share your thoughts on this trade rumor in the comments as well.

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